Best 4 Fruit Slab Cake Recipes

SLAB STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. In large bowl, stir the flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, baking powder and salt until blended. Cut in butter, using pastry blender or fork, until mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
• In small bowl, beat eggs and 2 cups whipping cream just until blended. Stir into flour mixture until mixture forms a soft dough. Using lightly floured fingers, pat and press dough in bottom of 15x10x1-inch ungreased pan.
• Bake 16 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix strawberries and 1/4 cup granulated sugar; stir occasionally.
• When ready to serve, in chilled large bowl, beat Topping ingredients with electric mixer on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Spread top with whipped cream. Using slotted spoon, spoon sugared berries over top. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

FREE RANGE FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• Combine dried fruits, candied ginger and both zests. Add rum and macerate overnight, or microwave for 5 minutes to re-hydrate fruit.
• Place fruit and liquid in a non-reactive pot with the sugar, butter, apple juice and spices. Bring mixture to a boil stirring often, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for at least 15 minutes. (Batter can be completed up to this point, then covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days. Bring to room temperature before completing cake.)
• Heat oven to 325 degrees.
• Combine dry ingredients and sift into fruit mixture. Quickly bring batter together with a large wooden spoon, then stir in eggs one at a time until completely integrated, then fold in nuts. Spoon into a 10-inch non-stick loaf pan and bake for 1 hour. Check for doneness by inserting toothpick into the middle of the cake. If it comes out clean, it's done. If not, bake another 10 minutes, and check again.
• Remove cake from oven and place on cooling rack or trivet. Baste or spritz top with brandy and allow to cool completely before turning out from pan.
• When cake is completely cooled, seal in a tight sealing, food safe container. Every 2 to 3 days, feel the cake and if dry, spritz with brandy. The cake's flavor will enhance considerably over the next two weeks. If you decide to give the cake as a gift, be sure to tell the recipient that they are very lucky indeed.

RICH FRUITCAKE

Steps:

• The night before, pour 75ml of the brandy over the fruit, cover and leave to sit, letting the fruit soak up the alcohol.
• Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Line a deep, 25cm square cake tin with a double layer of baking parchment, then wrap a double layer of newspaper around the outside, so that it comes about 2.5cm above the sides of the tin, and secure with string.
• Sift the flour, spices, cocoa powder and ½ tsp salt together. Mix a third of this mixture into the soaked fruit. Cream the butter, zests and sugar until light and fluffy, stir in the treacle, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Fold in half the remaining flour mixture. Once mixed, fold in the fruit mixture followed by the remaining flour mixture.
• Spoon into the prepared tin, smoothing the top with a palette knife. Bake in the centre of the oven for 2 hrs 30 mins, checking the cake with 15 mins to go. When a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean, it's ready.
• Leave to cool in the tin for 30 mins then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. To store, peel off the baking parchment, poke holes into the cake and feed with the remaining brandy. Wrap well in cling film. Will keep for three months.

FRUIT SKILLET CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Butter an 8-inch ovenproof skillet (preferably cast iron), and dust with flour. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. With an electric mixer on medium, beat butter and 3/4 cup sugar until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in egg. Add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with buttermilk; beat until combined.
• Transfer batter to the prepared skillet; smooth top. Arrange plums on top, fanning the slices; sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar.
• Bake until golden brown and a cake tester into center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.